He was a distinguished statesman, lawyer and orator, best remembered for his words, "Give me liberty or give me death!" spoken while urging Virginia colonial militia to be armed for defense against England.
He became governor of the new commonwealth of Virginia in 1776 and worked tirelessly to support the revolution.
His strong feelings of democracy were evident when he was the first American politician to call voters, "fellow citizens."
He was against ratification of the Constitution, believing it endangered the rights of individuals and states. But upon it passing, he supported it and then worked for the passage of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, called the Bill of Rights.